Description
The Indra is a round basket built from a series of coils of jute and cotton, laid ring on ring from the base up to the rim and stitched together as they rise. The cord is dyed charcoal and spun so that paler fibre shows through the twist, which gives the wall a close flecked grain rather than a flat colour. Two long handles of goat leather stand up from the rim, each one braided along its length and stitched down onto a tab, with a wider stitched panel set against the front.
At 41cm tall and 38cm across this is a floor basket rather than a shelf one. It holds a folded throw and a pair of cushions, or the overflow of a toy box, and the coiled wall is rigid enough to keep its shape when the basket is empty, so it stands square against a wall instead of slumping. The handles are long enough to take over a forearm. The basket is also made in a smaller size in the same charcoal.
The cord is jute and cotton and the handles and tabs are goat leather, dyed with tree bark and vegetable extract. The baskets are hand spun and woven by a collective of craftswomen in southern India, set up by an NGO to give year round work to women who had depended on seasonal labour in drought prone areas. Because the fibre is dyed naturally and spun by hand, the depth of the charcoal shifts from basket to basket. The Indra is made at 31cm as well as this 41cm, and in a natural colourway alongside the charcoal.
Specification
| Height |
41cm |
| Diameter |
38cm |
| Material |
Jute & Cotton, Leather |
| Colour |
Charcoal |
Frequently Asked
What are the handles made from?
Goat leather. Each handle is braided along its length and stitched onto a leather tab at the rim, and the leather is dyed with tree bark and vegetable extract.
How big is it?
41cm tall and 38cm across. The same basket is made at 31cm.
Can it be used outdoors?
No. It is for indoor use only, and the colour may fade in sunlight.
How do I look after it?
Use a soft bristle brush to lift any dust that builds up. For marks, a mild soap and warm water on a soft cloth will take them off. Keep harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners away from it.
Will every basket look the same?
Closely, but not exactly. The fibre is naturally dyed and hand spun, so the depth of the charcoal and the run of the flecking differ from basket to basket.